The Mac 4x4 is a long-distance, annual, four-wheel drive navigational endurance event in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support that has taken place every March since 2002. Starting in the West Midlands and covering up to 1000 miles on and off road in less than three days.

Marisa Wayne, the youngest daughter of legendary Hollywood icon John Wayne will fly over from California to compete in the 10th anniversary run of the Macmillan 4x4 UK challenge over the weekend of 3rd - 6th March 2011 as a co-driver in ‘Team Duke’, one of the Beds, Herts and Cambs Land Rover Club (BHCLRC) teams. Marisa will compete in a 1995 300Tdi Defender in this special run of the event which also marks the 100th anniversary of Macmillan.

Marisa’s participation will help raise awareness of the event and subsequently boost sponsorship opportunities, all of which goes directly to Macmillan. The Mac 4x4 currently raises over £100,000 per year for Macmillan Cancer Support, with a grand total of approximately £600,000 to date.

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Marisa enters the event as an ambassador for the John Wayne Cancer Foundation (JWCF), in acknowledgement of the two charities respective roles in cancer related support and research.

John Wayne survived lung cancer in 1964, but died 15 years later after a battle with cancer of the stomach. During this difficult period, he became passionate about helping others fight this terrible disease. To honour his memory, his family created the John Wayne Cancer Foundation (JWCF) to bring “courage, strength and grit” to the fight against cancer.

Since its founding in 1985, the JWCF has supported awareness programs, education programs and support groups, and is aligned with like-minded groups and non-profit organisations that advance the fight against cancer. JWCF has also been committed to groundbreaking cancer research and education at the John Wayne Cancer Institute (JWCI).